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Hot 'n' Healthy: With some hard work, you could be a Huge Loser, too

Itâ€™s time to make good on your resolutions. It doesnâ€™t matter how old, young, fit or unfit you are, you can participate in the Huge Loser program at the Islands YMCA and reach your goals.

I started the Huge Loser Program five years ago, hoping to truly make a difference in peopleâ€™s lives. There is so much more to getting healthy besides losing weight. Itâ€™s a combination of finding balance in your life, food and exercise. In this program, participants learn how to successfully plan life around workouts and not workouts around life. Yes, life happens and there will always be deterrents, but I help participants understand how to plan for deterrents and keep exercise as a major part in their lives.

Laura Hastay is here with me today. Laura has lost 40 pounds in 10 months in the program.

Scroll down to watch video.

Laura and I are going to show you a few of the workouts we routinely perform in Huge Loser.

â€¢ Now stand beside the curb and begin taking big steps up and down at a fast pace.

â€¢ Next, grab a ball and hold it at chest level and begin squatting. As you squat, reach the ball toward the sky.

Boxing is a great calorie-torching workout. You will be surprised at how quickly you fatigue. You can purchase gloves for about $25 at Target, Walmart or any sporting goods store. If you donâ€™t have gloves, most gyms have a punching bag.

â€¢ First, stand in a split stance and begin to punch with your fist facing outward. Punch alternating arms for about 1 minute.

Find a spinning bike at your local gym. Bring your iPod and ear buds and enjoy your favorite tunes as you spin at a fast pace for 15 minutes. Hop off your bike and either hit the treadmill or run outside in the fresh air. Try to run for 3 miles. Then go back to your bike for another 15 minutes

Huge Loser is about getting healthy and, yes, losing weight is a big part of that. Commitment is crucial. The first step is for you to truly want to get healthy and get in shape. Huge Loser is a six-week program in which individuals meet with me three times a week for boot camp style workouts. Participants are expected to work out on their own for three other days and keep a food diary.

During these six weeks, participants learn to make the right food choices. They experience how a healthy diet enhances their workouts and how they feel on a regular basis. Workouts vary from boxing, swimming, circuit training, climbing stairs for an hour, carrying tires for extended lengths of time, running up ramps, jump rope and core training.

If you donâ€™t believe the Huge Loser program works, ask Laura. You can learn to make physical fitness a part of your life. I challenge you to get motivated and try something new. Happy New Year!

Melanie Edwards is certified in IFTA, NETA, ACE, AFFA, Les Mills and Johnny G spin. She can be contacted at melfitness@bellsouth.net or the Islands YMCA, 912-897-1192, or Memorial FitnessOne, 912-350-4030.